Results 49,741-49,760 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have not finished and the Deputy does not appear inclined to give me an opportunity to do so.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Government makes decisions on whether to introduce legislation to the House. Such legislation is then published and it is then open for all Members to have an input into it.

Groceries Order. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should allow me to finish. This will require primary legislation and all Members will have the opportunity to contribute to any legislation. In addition, I have no difficulty in discussing the report that I will produce and publish with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. The joint committee members will require time to discuss the report. However,...

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The framework for development contribution schemes was agreed under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to update the long-standing development levy system. That system had applied since 1963 and is a means of funding capital projects to service land for new development. The operation of these schemes is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and...

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I do not accept the Deputy's points because a range of new revenue opportunities have emerged for local authorities in recent times, not least these development levies. The economic growth and buoyancy of recent years must have added significantly to the revenue generating capacity of local authorities. I have been around the country meeting the various——

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——sectors involved in the productive side of the economy, particularly on the manufacturing side as well as the chambers of commerce and so on. The variation between local authorities emerged as a factor. There can be quite sharp differences between the levies imposed by some local authorities as opposed to others, which illustrates the strong local control over the schemes adopted by any...

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: Local authorities must take due note of this in future and I hope they will examine their schemes in that respect. I understand there is no differentiation between the commercial, manufacturing and retail sectors in many of the schemes. That is another factor which should be taken on board. While these levies have been in force since 1963, updating them has been taken as an opportunity to...

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: First, I object to the Deputy's comments. It is about time we accept responsibility at local level.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: With the greatest respect, Deputy Hogan's party made a big song and dance about gaining control of local authorities the length and breadth of the country. We will now see how——

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——pro-enterprise and responsible it is in terms of managing these levies at local level.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The legislation is no excuse for the wide differentiation between local authorities vis-À-vis these particular levies. Why is it that in one county it can be at a certain level and at a much higher level in another county? The Deputy cannot keep blaming the centre.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: When we give enabling powers and authority to local authorities, we in this House should accept that the responsibility then lies——

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——with that particular body. The amount of funding allocated to local authorities has been increased year by year by consecutive Ministers.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am not out of touch and am very insulted.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I hope that, from Fine Gael's latter day control of local authorities, we will witness some response to these types of issues.

Local Authority Funding. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I look forward to engaging with that party. I hope the matter rates enough of Fine Gael's attention in the forthcoming election at local authority level.

Unemployment Levels. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 111 and 151 together. The House will be aware that there have been significant job announcements in County Donegal recently with over 210 new jobs announced by Zeus Industrial Products, Letterkenny and PowerBoard, Burnfoot, which are being supported by the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland, respectively. This was in addition to 423 jobs...

Unemployment Levels. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: The figure was 11.4% in 1995 but it is now 4.9%.

Unemployment Levels. (2 Nov 2005)

Micheál Martin: However, I recognise that there have been significant job losses in County Donegal in recent years, which is why I have visited the county a number of times since becoming Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I have met many groups and companies on these visits to discuss the county's difficulties and its positive developments. My colleagues in Government recognise the particular...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (27 Oct 2005)

Micheál Martin: Employment data are collated by Forfás on a calendar year basis, January-December; it is collected at county level only and not broken down to specific towns. The following table shows the number of full-time jobs created in County Mayo in companies supported by the enterprise development agencies for the years 2002, 2003, and 2004. Employment numbers in agency-assisted companies are not yet...